Miniature extreme sports playing system

ABSTRACT

A miniature extreme sports system includes a conveyor means, ( 10 ), having a conveyor surface, ( 11 ), which is moveable by way of a driving means, ( 12 ). This conveyor surface defines a predetermined pathway, ( 13 ). The conveyor surface includes a plurality of interactive elements, ( 14 ), that are mounted to the conveyor surface. When the conveyor surface is moving, the interactive elements will also be moved. This movement will be towards a player, ( 15 ), who is controlling a miniature toy N sports device, ( 16 ), that can be selectively engaged with the conveyor surface as shown in FIG.  1 . Further selective interaction can happen with the interactive elements, ( 14 ). This controlling of the miniature toy sports device, as well as the selective engagement and selective interaction will allow the player to take part in an interactive sport between the miniature toy sports device and a sports course designed by the pathway and interactive elements.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to toys and amusement games or devices, and in particular, to a miniature extreme sports playing system which provides a moveable playing surface to increase stunt maneuverability and capabilities when playing with miniature sports devices and accessories.

Whilst the invention may be applied to any miniature toy devices or applications which require human intervention/control, for convenience sake, it shall be described herein in terms of a miniature extreme sports playing system for use with miniature sports devices and accessories.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

In recent years, the interest in extreme sports and the variety of extreme sports available such as snowboarding, skateboarding, BMX riding, dirt bike riding etc., has increased with more events and competitions being offered to encourage participants to develop their talents and expand on their skills and stunt capabilities. Due to the enormous popularity of extreme sports, miniature scaled versions of the sports devices and ramps and accessories used in the extreme sports have been created for players to play with and attempt tricks and manoeuvres which they would like to see conducted in real life.

The disadvantage of these current scaled miniature model versions is that they become somewhat unrealistic and eventually boring for players as they are limited in the area and duration for performing a series of tricks and maneuvers. This limitation is generally directly related to the physical constraint on the distance obtainable by a player's outstretched arm which makes it near impossible to simulate maneuvers in a timely contact with a surface, at a consistent speed and in a single direction.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a miniature extreme sports playing system which provides a moveable playing surface to increase stunt maneuverability and capabilities when playing with miniature sports devices and accessories.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a miniature extreme sports system including;

-   -   a conveyor means having a conveyor surface following a         predetermined pathway wherein the conveyor surface is moveable         along by a driving means; and     -   at least one interactive element mounted on the moveable         conveyor surface whereby the conveyor means in use will move the         at least one interactive element towards a player controlling a         miniature toy sports device to allow selective engagement with         the pathway and selective interaction with the at least one         interactive element, and whereby the player can engage in an         interactive sport between the miniature toy sports device and a         sports course designed by the pathway and interactive elements.

The driving means can increase or decrease the velocity of the pathways movement.

The driving means can change the direction of movement of the pathway.

The driving means can be controlled manually or automatically.

The preceding claims whereby the pathway is a continuous pathway.

The preceding claims whereby the pathway is formed by at least two straight pathway lengths connected to each other by at least two curved pathway lengths.

The at least two curved pathway lengths are each contained within a separate housing such that the housing provides a substantial barrier to the player interacting the miniature toy sports device with the pathway portion defined by the curved pathway lengths.

The preceding claims whereby the pathway is substantially horizontal.

The pathway forms bankings.

The preceding claims whereby the at least one interactive element is removable mounted to the pathway.

The at least one interactive element is removably mounted through magnetic forces.

The interactive elements are able to move laterally across the predetermined pathway.

The lateral movement is provided by side elements with cammed edges.

The at least one interactive element is fixedly mounted to the conveyor surface.

The at least one interactive element is capable of altering spacing from the conveyor surface.

The at least one interactive element is a plurality of interactive elements forming the sports course.

The operative position of the conveyor surface is adjacent the position of the player.

The miniature toy sports device includes wheels to roll over the conveyor surface.

The miniature toy sports device is a miniature skateboard controllable by the player's fingers.

The miniature toy sports device includes a slidable element for engaging the conveyor surface.

The conveyor means includes a plurality of crescent shaped elements.

The plurality of accessories can be used to give appearances of different terrain.

A method of making a sports course for use with a miniature toy sports device including the steps of:

-   -   a) providing a conveyor means with a moveable surface;     -   b) mounting interactive elements on the moveable surface;     -   c) providing a driving means to drive the conveyor means;     -   d) determining a player interaction area; and     -   e) driving the conveyor means with the interactive elements         toward the player interaction area whereby the player will         selectively engage the miniature toy sports device on the         moveable surface and selectively interact with the interactive         elements.

A method of playing a miniature extreme sports system including the steps of:

-   -   a) Defining a sports course including interactive elements on         the surface of a conveyor means;     -   b) Driving the conveyor means     -   c) Interacting a miniature toy sports device by finger action         against the driven conveyor surface and interactive elements in         order to simulate within a certain area the use of a real size         toy sports device moving over an extended real sports course.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood we will describe by way of non-limiting example of a specific embodiment thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention can be more readily understood embodiments of the invention will be described by way of non-limiting example with reference to the Figures wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a miniature extreme sports system in use according to an embodiment the invention with interactive elements and a miniature toy device;

FIG. 2 shows a side top diagrammatic view of the conveyor means of the miniature extreme sports system in use according to an embodiment the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective diagrammatic view of the conveyor with some crescent elements removed to show the framework of the conveyor means miniature extreme sports system in use according to an embodiment the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In the preferred embodiment the invention provides a miniature extreme sports system includes a conveyor means, 10, having a conveyor surface, 11, which is moveable by way of a driving means, 12. This conveyor surface defines a predetermined pathway, 13. The conveyor surface includes a plurality of interactive elements, 14, that are mounted to the conveyor surface. When the conveyor surface is moving, the interactive elements will also be moved. This movement will be towards a player, 15, who is controlling a miniature toy sports device, 16, that can be selectively engaged with the conveyor surface as shown in FIG. 1. Further selective interaction can happen with the interactive elements, 14. This controlling of the miniature toy sports device, as well as the selective engagement and selective interaction will allow the player to take part in an interactive sport between the miniature toy sports device and a sports course designed by the pathway and interactive elements.

There are a number of different interactive elements, 14, so that numerous stunts or tricks can be performed. The interactive elements are preferably adapted to form the platform or basis for various stunts and tricks to be performed. The interactive elements are preferably adapted to be miniature and/or replica versions of real interactive elements used for extreme sports in relation to particular sports devices. For example, interactive elements provided for use with a skateboard may include ramps, rails, bars and/or obstacles or the like.

The conveyor means, 10, is controlled by a driving means, 12, that can be controlled manually or automatically. This driving means can change increase or decrease the driving velocity, which will result in an increase or decrease in velocity of the pathway defined by the conveyor surfaces moves at. The driving means is also capable of altering its direction, which in turn will change the direction the conveyor means and hence the conveyor surface will move.

During play, the player will stand in a specific location that is the operative position to control the miniature toy sports device, 16. The operative position of the player is adjacent to the conveyor surface.

The pathway, 13, followed by the miniature toy sports device is a continuous pathway. It is made from a at least two straight pathway lengths, 17, which are connected by at least two curved pathway lengths, 18. The curved pathway lengths are each contained within a separate housing, 19 as can be seen in FIG. 2. The pathway can have sections that are substantially horizontal and sections that form bankings. These differently aligned pathways will alter the way the player interacts with the conveyor surface. The conveyor surface making up the individual pathway lengths are formed by a plurality of crescent shaped elements, 20 that engage at least two other crescent shaped elements forming a snake like line. These elements are able to slidably engage each other, allowing for the crescent elements to move in relation to adjacent elements when moving around the curved pathway lengths.

The movable surface may have provided different profiles to simulate different land and terrain profiles that would normally be encountered in real extreme sports, such as a hilly, sloped surface for snowboarding. The moveable surface may preferably be decorated to simulate the appearance of a particular land or terrain profile such as snow, road, dirt or the like.

The interactive elements, 14, are removably mounted to the conveyor surface, 11, through magnetic forces while others are fixedly mounted to the surface. This will allow players, 15, to create differing sports courses each time they make use of the miniature extreme sports system. Some of the interactive elements, 14, are capable of moving laterally across the pathway by interacting with side elements cammed surfaces located on the pathway to provide an element of change on an otherwise static sports course. Another feature of some of the interactive elements is that they are capable of altering the spacing from the conveyor surface, 11. This is done by spring loading part of the element such that when the miniature toy sports device interacts with the spring loaded device. The spring biases at least one moveable surface away from the conveyor surface such that when the miniature toy sports device, 16, interacts with it, the biased surface will move toward the conveyor surface.

The miniature toy sports device, 16, that is used in this miniature extreme sports system will have wheels to roll over device over the conveyor surface. The device can be shaped in the form of a skateboard which is sized to be suitably controlled by the player using only their fingers.

Alternatively the miniature toy sports device includes a slideable element that engages the conveyor surface. These slideable elements may be in the form of miniature toy skis or snow boards.

The sports course can be made for use with the miniature toy sports device, 16, by a method including the steps of providing the conveyor means, 10, with moveable surface and mounting interactive elements, 14, on the surface. A driving means, 12, is provided to drive the conveyor means and determining a player interaction area that is adjacent to the conveyor means. The conveyor means is then driven by the driving means such that the interactive elements are moved toward the player interaction area where a player, 15, is standing. The player will be controlling the miniature toy sports device with their fingers and selectively engaging the moveable surface and also selectively interacting with the interactive elements as they approach them.

The miniature extreme sports system can include a recording device which can make a visual recording of a player using the system. The recording device is in the form of a video or digital camera.

When using the miniature extreme sports system, the player, 15, will define a sports course including interactive elements that are mounted to the surface of a conveyor means, 10. The conveyor means is then driven at a certain speed and direction, both can be altered by the driving means, 12. As the conveyor means moves the player will interact with the miniature toy sports device, 16, with finger action against the conveyor surface and interactive elements, 14. This will simulate, within a certain area, the use of a real size toy sports device moving over an extended real sports course.

In practice, a player, 15 stands or sits stationary to the side of the system during operation of the system. To begin play, the moveable surface is set in motion via activation of the driving means, 12. As the moveable surface moves in front of the player, the different interactive elements, 14, secured to the playing surface are presented to the player in succession. Thus, multiple stunts, tricks and maneuvers are able to be completed continuously so that a close simulation of extreme sports can be achieved.

While we have described herein a particular embodiment of a miniature extreme sports playing system, it is further envisaged that other embodiments of the invention could exhibit any number and combination of any one of the features previously described. However, it is to be understood that any variations and modifications which can be made without inventiveness or departing from the spirit and are included within scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. 

1. A miniature extreme sports system including: a conveyor means having a conveyor surface following a predetermined pathway wherein the conveyor surface is moveable along by a driving means; and at least one interactive element mounted on the moveable conveyor surface wherein the conveyor means in use will move the at least one interactive element towards a player controlling a miniature toy sports device to allow selective engagement with the pathway and selective interaction with the at least one interactive element, and wherein the player can engage in an interactive sport between the miniature toy sports device and a sports course designed by the pathway and interactive elements.
 2. A miniature extreme sports system according to claim 1 wherein the driving means is controlled manually or automatically to increase or decrease the velocity of the pathways movement or to change the direction of movement of the pathway.
 3. (canceled)
 4. (canceled)
 5. A miniature extreme sports system according to claim 1, wherein the pathway is a continuous pathway.
 6. A miniature extreme sports system according to claim 1, wherein the pathway is formed by at least two straight pathway lengths connected to each other by at least two curved pathway lengths.
 7. A miniature extreme sports system according to claim 6 wherein the at least two curved pathway lengths are each contained within a separate housing such that the housing provides a substantial barrier to the player interacting the miniature toy sports device with the pathway portion defined by the curved pathway lengths.
 8. A miniature extreme sports system according to claim 7 wherein the pathway is substantially horizontal.
 9. A miniature extreme sports system according to claim 7 wherein the pathway forms bankings.
 10. (canceled)
 11. A miniature extreme sports system according to claim 1 wherein the at least one interactive element is removably mounted to the pathway through magnetic forces.
 12. (canceled)
 13. A miniature extreme sports system according to claim 1 wherein the at least one interactive element is able to move laterally across the predetermined pathway and the lateral movement is provided by side elements with cammed edges.
 14. (canceled)
 15. A miniature extreme sports system according to claim 1 wherein the at least one interactive element is capable of altering spacing from the conveyor surface.
 16. A miniature extreme sports system according to claim 1 wherein the at least one interactive element is a plurality of interactive elements forming the sports course and wherein the operative position of the conveyor surface is adjacent the position of the player and wherein the miniature toy sports device includes wheels to roll over the conveyor surface.
 17. (canceled)
 18. (canceled)
 19. A miniature extreme sports system according to claim 16 wherein the miniature toy sports device is a miniature skateboard controllable by the player's fingers.
 20. (canceled)
 21. A miniature extreme sports system according to claim 1 wherein the conveyor means includes a plurality of at least partially overlapping crescent shaped elements.
 22. (canceled)
 23. (canceled)
 24. A method of playing a miniature extreme sports system including the steps of: a) Defining a sports course including interactive elements on the surface of a conveyor means; i. Providing a conveyor means with a moveable surface; ii. Mounting interactive elements on the moveable surface; iii. Providing a driving means to drive the conveyor means; iv. Determining a player interaction area; b) Driving the conveyor means with the interactive elements toward the player interaction area; c) Driving the conveyor means c) Interacting a miniature toy sports device by finger action against the driven conveyor surface and interactive elements in order to simulate within a certain area the use of a real size toy sports device moving over an extended real sports course.
 25. (canceled)
 26. A miniature extreme sports system comprising: a conveyor means with a moveable surface; interactive elements mounted on the moveable surface; and a driving means to drive the conveyor means; wherein a sports course is defined including the interactive elements on the surface of a conveyor means, and a player interaction area is determined; and wherein driving the conveyor means with the interactive elements toward the player interaction area, a user can interact a miniature toy sports device by finger action against the driven conveyor surface and interactive elements in order to simulate within a certain area the use of a real size toy sports device moving over an extended real sports course. 